By Olusegun Lawrence Senate President Bukola Saraki is now at the National Assembly, presiding over plenary at the Senate Chamber.
He was said to have entered the Chamber at about 10.40hours.
As at press time, it is not clear how Mr Saraki managed to beat security operatives who had laid siege to his residence in the early hours of today.
Recall that the Nigeria Police High Command had yesterday, again, invited the Senate President for interrogation today in connection with the Offa Bank Robbery.
“After a careful perusal of your letter to the Police, it was discovered that the statement requires further clarification and coupled with the fact that you stated that the full text of the statements of the suspects were not shown to you, it is imperative you report to the Police to make further statements after giving you the full text of the statements of the suspects, Force PRO, Ag DCP Jimoh Moshood had said.
But, rather than allowing Saraki to report as requested, a combined team of police and DSS operatives stormed his residence in the morning and blocked him from leaving home, apparently to arrest him.
His Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s home was also reported to have been blocked in the morning.
Meanwhile, 15 Senators have formally defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Mr Saraki read the letter informing the Upper Chamber about their defection.
The concerned Senators are: Rabi’u Kwankwaso (Kano-Central), Dino Melaye (Kogi-West), Adesoji Akanbi (Oyo-South), Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo-Central), Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara-South), Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna-North), and Lanre Tejuoso (Ogun-Central).
Others are Usman Nafada (Gombe), Ibrahim Dambaba (Sokoto), Mohammed Shittu (Jigawa) Isa Misau (Bauchi) Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi) Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara) and Barnabas Gemade (Benue).
